ABSTRACT
Snake venoms can show biochemical and toxicological variability even in specimens from the same specie. The geographical localization of the snakes is one of the factors that can influence those variations. By these reasons the venom from specimens of Bothrops (Rhinocerophis) alternatus ("crucera", "yararágrande"), one of the snakes of highest medical importance in Argentina, from three different regions of Córdoba was studied. Lehtal potency, hemorrhagic, coagulant on plasma and thrombin like activities as well as the electrophoretic patterns of venom from snakes of Calamuchita, Traslasierras and the East of the province were determined. The venom from the snakes of the three regions showed the characteristic activities of the venom of the majority of Bothrops, causing hemorrhage, hemostatic disturbances acting on plasma or directly on fibrinogen with a "thrombin like activity". The different samples were very similar regarding their biochemical characteristics and toxic potencies at difference of previous observations on venoms from the same specie in different regions of other provinces fro Argentina. Bivalent antivenom, the one used by the Provincial Ministry of Health to treat the bothropic accidents, neutralized in all the cases the toxic activities of the venom in very similar range of neutralizing potency.
Subject(s)
Antivenins/pharmacology , Bothrops , Crotalid Venoms/toxicity , Animals , Argentina , Bothrops/classification , Blood Coagulation/drug effects , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Hemorrhage/chemically induced , Crotalid Venoms/antagonists & inhibitors , Crotalid Venoms/chemistryABSTRACT
OBJETIVOS: Describir la distribución de los accidentes ofídicos en la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina, identificar las zonas de mayor riesgo y analizar la utilidad del programa informático SIGEpi. MÉTODOS: Se recopiló la información relacionada con los 299 accidentes ofídicos notificados en la provincia de Córdoba entre los años 1995 y 2006, tomados del registro oficial de la Dirección de Epidemiología provincial para accidentes por animales venenosos. Para su localización geográfica se utilizó el programa informático SIGEpi. Se generaron mapas específicos que permitieron identificar, cuantificar y visualizar las zonas vulnerables y de mayor riesgo ofídico. RESULTADOS: Los accidentes se concentraron en el sector norte y oeste de la provincia. A las serpientes del género Bothrops correspondió la mayoría de los accidentes (87,7 por ciento del total). Los departamentos con mayor incidencia anual de accidentes de este tipo fueron Pocho y Río Seco ( > 10 accidentes por 100 000 habitantes). Se identificaron tres zonas de mayor riesgo ofídico: una en el extremo oeste de la provincia, una en el extremo norte y otra al norte de Bañados del Río Dulce y la laguna Mar Chiquita. CONCLUSIONES: Los accidentes ofídicos constituyen un importante problema de salud en la provincia de Córdoba, con una incidencia superior en las zonas de mayor carencia económica vinculadas al trabajo rural. El programa SIGEpi constituye una opción adecuada para estudiar problemas de salud pública y resultó eficaz para identificar las zonas de mayor riesgo ofídico.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the case distribution of accidental ophidism in the Córdoba province of Argentina, identify high risk areas, and evaluate the usefulness of the SIGEpi software program (Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, United States of America). METHODS: Information regarding the 299 cases of accidental ophidism reported in Córdoba in 1995-2006 was collected from the Provincial Epidemiology Department's official records of incidents involving venomous creatures. The SIGEpi software program was used for geographic mapping. Specific maps were produced to identify, quantify, and visualize the danger zones and areas of high risk for ophidism. RESULTS: The incidents occurred mostly in the northern and western areas of the province. Snakes of the Bothrops genus were responsible for the majority of the incidents (87.7 percent of the total). The departments with the highest annual incidence rates were Pocho and Río Seco ( > 10 incidents per 100 000 residents). Three ophidism high-risk zones were identified: one in far west of the province, another in the far north, and another just north of Bañados del Río Dulce and the Mar Chiquita lagoon. CONCLUSIONS: Accidental ophidism constitutes a major health problem in the Córdoba province where incidence rates are higher than those areas with more severe economic issues tied to rural labor. SIGEpi software is a reasonable choice for studying public health challenges and proved to be effective in identifying areas at high risk for ophidism.